Melbourne police angry that archdiocesan official warned priests of abuse probe
December 03, 2009
Police in Melbourne, Australia, are reportedly irate at the revelation that two priests who were under investigation for sexual abuse were warned by an investigator working for the Melbourne archdiocese. Peter O’Callaghan, who handles sex-abuse inquiries for the archdiocese, notified the two priests that they were under surveillance. Police officials complained bitterly that O’Callaghan’s unauthorized disclosure undermined their efforts.
Archbishop Denis Hart has said that he will speak with police officials about the matter. Asked whether the archdiocese might change its methods of investigating sex-abuse complaints, a spokesman said that he would “await the outcome of the discussions with the police.”
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